Study finds surgery eliminates precancerous uterine growths

A study evaluating the effects of bariatric surgery on obese women most at risk for cancer has found that the bariatric surgery eliminated precancerous uterine growths in those that had them. Other effects included substantial weight loss, improving patients’ physical quality of life (QoL), improving their insulin levels and ability to use glucose, and altering the composition of their gut bacteria. The study, ‘Women at extreme risk for obesity-related carcinogenesis: Baseline endometrial pathology and impact of bariatric surgery on weight, metabolic profiles and quality of life.’, was published in in the journal Gynecologic Oncology.

Dr Susan Modesitt

“If you look at cancers in women, about a fifth of all cancer deaths would be prevented if we had women at normal body weight in the US,” said Dr Susan C Modesitt of the University of Virginia Cancer Center. “When you’re looking at obesity-related cancers, the biggest one is endometrial cancer, but also colon cancer, breast cancer, renal cancer and gall bladder cancer. We think about 40 to 50 percent of all endometrial cancer, which is in the lining of the uterus, is caused by obesity.”

The study included 71 women undergoing bariatric surgery and their demographic and clinicopathologic data, serum, and endometrium (if no prior hysterectomy) were collected preoperatively and serum collected postoperatively. Serum global biochemical data were assessed pre/postoperatively. The mean age of women was 44.2 years and a mean BMI50.9, interestingly a third of women presenting for bariatric surgery did not identify themselves as obese. A total of 68 participants underwent the procedure; two opted out of the surgery, and another died of a heart condition prior to surgery.

Outcomes

Following surgery, the mean weight loss was 45.7kg and the endometrial biopsy results showed that ten percent of study participants who had not had a hysterectomy showed precancerous changes in the lining of the uterus, and all of those resolved with weight loss (proliferative (13/30; 43%), insufficient (8/30; 27%), secretory (6/30; 20%) and hyperplasia (3/30; 10%—1 complex atypical, 2 simple).

“The study results demonstrate that there is a huge alteration, but I don’t even know what to say about that, except it is really new and intriguing area to look at in the link between obesity and cancer,” said Modesitt. “For example, before ground breaking work by Dr John Marshall at UVA in the past, no one knew that ulcers were from bacteria. Who knows what role the gut bacteria play in promoting obesity, but metabolic parameter/markers of the bacteria definitely changed after [study participants] lost weight.”

While the study speaks to the transformative effect bariatric surgery can have, Modesitt urged people to avoid gaining weight in the first place and for those seeking to lose weight to exercise and eat more healthily before turning to surgery.

“We really should be working on diet and exercise from the get-go in our entire society, starting with our children. And exercise does seem to be protective, even if you don’t lose all the weight, it absolutely has beneficial effects,” she said. “There are lots of studies showing if you exercise, it improves your insulin, your glucose, all of those sorts of things that go along with the cancer-causing effect. Almost everybody agrees adding exercise would be wonderful and improve health on many levels. But losing excess weight would also be good.”

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‘Love Your Body’ to Lose Weight

Almost a quarter of men and women in England and over a third of adults in America are obese. (In South Africa statistics on the percentage of overweight and obese people indicate that obesity and its co-morbidities are on the increase, with Cape Town leading the way!) Obesity increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease and can significantly shorten a person's life expectancy. New research published by BioMed Central's open access journal International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity shows that improving body image can enhance the effectiveness of weight loss programs based on diet and exercise.

Researchers from the Technical University of Lisbon and Bangor University enrolled overweight and obese women on a year-long weight loss program. Half the women were given general health information about good nutrition, stress management, and the importance of looking after yourself. The other half attended 30 weekly group sessions (the intervention plan) where issues such as exercise, emotional eating, improving body image and the recognition of, and how to overcome, personal barriers to weight loss and lapses from the diet were discussed. On the behavioral intervention plan women found that the way they thought about their body improved and that concerns about body shape and size were reduced. Compared to the control group they were better able to self-regulate their eating and they lost much more weight, losing on average 7% of their starting weight compared to less than 2% for the control group. Dr Teixeira from Technical University of Lisbon, who led the research, said, "Body image problems are very common amongst overweight and obese people, often leading to comfort eating and more rigid eating patterns, and are obstacles to losing weight. Our results showed a strong correlation between improvements in body image, especially in reducing anxiety about other peoples' opinions, and positive changes in eating behavior. From this we believe that learning to relate to your body in healthier ways is an important aspect of maintaining weight loss and should be addressed in every weight control program."

Motivation

incred Medical Finance

Also known as bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery constitutes a number of procedures all with one goal in mind being weight loss for the patient suffering from obesity. Along with this primary goal, other effects from such procedures are an improvement in cardiovascular functions and decrease in associated risk or even full recovery from diabetes. The procedures involved can either make use of specific apparatus or even altering of the digestive organs.

Rules for Successful Dieting

Follows five basic rules:

Rule One: Eat Your Target Protein Every Day

By consuming the minimum amount of protein for your body, you maintain energy, muscle mass, and keep your hunger in check.Rule Two: Take Your Supplements Every Day
The daily nutritional supplements we prescribe to you will have a positive effect on your long-term health, energy, and longevity. Rule Three: Drink Water Every Day
As your body burns calories, waste products are released through urine. Drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily helps release these waste products so they don’t build up and slow your metabolism.Rule Four: Continue an Exercise Program
Getting the right amount of exercise is an essential part of successful long-term weight control and total well-being. Rule Five: Be Consistent with Your Diet
If you stick to your daily eating prescription and keep your caloric intake consistent from day to day, you increase your chances of maintaining your optimal weightGet your Maintenance Diet Plan today contact our resident Dietitian:Judy Kotze - Dietitian Special interest: Bariatric Nutrition BSc (Dietetics) - Diploma in Hospital Dietetics M (Nutrition) Durbanville Medi-Clinic Tel: 27-21 975 2336 Fax 27-21 9752692 Mobile: 083 254 0919

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Bariatric Surgery Support (BSS) is a Cape Town based Support Group for people seeking information and Support about Weight-Loss Surgery. We deal with a host of pre and post operation issues aimed at facilitating your journey to a healthier life style.

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Key Lifestyle Changes with Weight Loss Surgery

Some of the most important lifestyle changes to adapt to after weight loss surgery include:

* Slowly increasing physical activity
* Assessing and logging in daily food intake
* Undergoing counseling to adapt to the changing body image
* Eliminating social situations that promote overeating
* Tackling any emotional issues that triggered overeating with a therapist
* Making time to prepare special foods and meals to complement a healthier lifestyle